During parliamentary questions, the Labour MP Paul Blomfield cited the role of the press in creating a charged atmosphere that could contribute to hate crimes and asked Bradley to raise the issue with newspaper editors.

He said: “Sections of the press share a responsibility for creating the climate in which that is happening, and all of them have an opportunity to change it.”

Bradley replied that she would bring the issue up in the course of planned meetings with editors. She said: “I am, of course, meeting editors and others to discuss many points, and I assure the honourable gentleman that I will raise this one.”

Bradley was the Home Office minister responsible for tackling hate crime prior to being appointed culture secretary in Theresa May’s new government.

Blomfield later issued a statement welcoming Bradley’s commitment, saying he would follow the issue closely.

He said: “The media plays a big part in shaping public attitudes. They have a particular responsibility to reflect on the consequences of headlines and stories in provoking fear and anger between different groups.

“Inflammatory, divisive and misleading reporting, especially on immigration and asylum, can encourage the sort of violence that has shocked the country.

“It’s important that newspaper editors recognise how influential they can be and take steps to ensure they don’t contribute to the appalling rise in hate crimes we’ve witnessed since the EU referendum.”